Wagner said there was also report of a sighting of Jeffries-Hamar today, but because it hadn’t been confirmed he declined to comment on where that supposedly occurred, saying he didn’t want to worry people in the community needlessly.

Meanwhile today, Department of Education officials confirmed that several Hilo public schools, including Hilo High, Hilo Union, Hilo Intermediate and Keaukaha Elementary, where placed on lockdown for part of the morning.

DOE spokeswoman Donalyn Dela Cruz said the students were kept in classrooms under heightened security because of a possible sighting of one of the fugitives. She declined to say where that sighting occurred, and Wagner said the report – which he said came from someone affiliated with a school – turned out to be incorrect.

Police also issued a statement Thursday night saying that reports circulating on social media that the escapees had robbed the Ainaola Mart on Ainaola Drive in Hilo was incorrect.

Facebook and other social media sites have been rife with rumors of sightings and other information about the pair.

Asked if such reports were a help or hindrance to the police department’s manhunt, Wagner said they are treated like any other tips.

“It’s like anything else, you have to filter the information to see if it’s correct or not,” he said.

Come pick up your rusty metal folding chair any Sunday now through March 31st at the church & let your creative side run wild. The object is to decorate the chair any way you want & the only rule is that it must fold open & close. All chairs must be turned in on April 6 where they will be on display until April 20. You can name your price & sell your chair but a percentage of your proceeds are asked to be donated to the church. Have fun!